West Central: Greater Tampa Bay
West Central
The greater Tampa Bay area is increasingly recognized internationally as a premier high-tech hub. Fueled by an economic engine at the pre-eminent University of South Florida, the local ecosystem benefits from an influx of capital and a tight-knit community of passionate doers with a shared vision for the future.
trusted collaborators + connections
Our work is powered by collaborative relationships with trusted individuals and organizations that share our spirit of innovation and desire to help.
Cyber Florida
University Research + Innovation
Cyber Florida positions Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity through education, research and outreach.
Ernie Ferraresso
Director
Duke Energy Corporation
Corporate Innovation
Sustaining Sponsor
Duke Energy is a leading energy company focused on electric power and gas distribution operations.John Fremstad
Director of Innovation + Competitiveness
Florida Venture Forum
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
FVF is Florida's largest statewide support and networking organization for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.
Kevin Burgoyne
President + CEO
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
University Research + Innovation
The GCREC offers working research fields and state-of-the-art clean housing and laboratory facilities.
Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) at USF
University Research + Innovation
The IAE at USF delivers hardware-and-software-based applied research, advanced technology development, prototypes and technical services.
Sarah Lain
Business Development Director
National Academy of Inventors
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
The NAI encourages inventors in academia, following the model of the National Academies of the United States.
Jamie Renee
Executive Director
Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED)
Economic Development
PCED encourages business expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers.
Scott Talcott
Business Development Manager
Synapse Florida
Industry Group
Synapse helps entrepreneurs easily find what they need and share what they have to accelerate their success.
Brian Kornfeld
President + Founder
Tampa Bay Tech
Industry Group
Tampa Bay Tech provides annual programming, networking and initiatives to support the local tech ecosystem.
Virginia Lee
Interim Chief Executive Officer
USF CONNECT
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
USF CONNECT facilitates access to programming, business mentors, university talent and research for startups.
Shannon Pastizzo
Program Director
The AI Education Project
STEM Outreach
The AI Education Project provides curriculum and programming to help students explore tech-enabled careers.
Alex Kotran
Co-Founder and CEO
Embarc Collective
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
Embarc Collective is a nonprofit hub deliver that provides individualized support to Tampa Bay startups.
Lakshmi Shenoy
CEO
Florida Venture Forum
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
FVF is Florida's largest statewide support and networking organization for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.
Kevin Burgoyne
President + CEO
Foundation for Community Driven Innovation (FCDI)
STEM Outreach
FCDI supports academic achievement, economic development and the spirit of innovation through active learning projects.
Terri Willingham
Executive Director
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
University Research + Innovation
The GCREC offers working research fields and state-of-the-art clean housing and laboratory facilities.
Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) at USF
University Research + Innovation
The IAE at USF delivers hardware-and-software-based applied research, advanced technology development, prototypes and technical services.
Sarah Lain
Business Development Director
Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC)
Economic Development
Pasco EDC fosters economic vitality and business development opportunities in Pasco County.
Turner Arbour
Workforce Development Manager
Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED)
Economic Development
PCED encourages business expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers.
Scott Talcott
Business Development Manager
Tampa Bay Wave
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
Tampa Bay Wave is a nationally recognized accelerator program that helps build, launch and grow businesses.
Linda Olson
President + CEO
USF Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
The SBDC at USF offers support for small business owners in the Tampa Bay region.
Carl Hadden
Regional Director
From the Suncoast to the Space Coast, a super region for high-tech industry
